{"id":35676,"date":"2026-04-17T16:20:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T21:20:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thexradio.com\/news\/?p=35676"},"modified":"2026-04-17T16:20:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T21:20:10","slug":"friday-general-assembly-bill-updates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thexradio.com\/news\/local-news\/35676-friday-general-assembly-bill-updates\/","title":{"rendered":"Friday General Assembly Bill Updates"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"pdfprnt-buttons pdfprnt-buttons-post pdfprnt-top-right\"><a href=\"javascript: window.print()\" class=\"pdfprnt-button pdfprnt-button-print\" target=\"_self\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thexradio.com\/news\/wp-content\/plugins\/pdf-print\/images\/print.png\" alt=\"image_print\" title=\"Print Content\" \/><span class=\"pdfprnt-button-title pdfprnt-button-print-title\">Print<\/span><\/a><\/div><p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights speaks on the House floor April 17. Canty is the sponsor on a contentious human composting bill. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jenna Schweikert)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">House approves new privacy rules for abortion care\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By JENNA SCHWEIKERT, NIKOEL HYTREK,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BEN SZALINSKI, BRENDEN MOORE,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&amp; PETER HANCOCK<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Capitol News Illinois<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><a href=\"mailto:news@capitolnewsillinois.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">news@capitolnewsillinois.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>Article Summary<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Illinois House and Senate approved hundreds of bills this week ahead of a Friday deadline, including a plan proposed by Gov. JB Pritzker to limit cell phones in schools.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A bill allowing composting human remains advanced after years of debate on the subject.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lawmakers in both chambers passed different versions of a bill allowing the state treasurer to manage investments for nonprofits after Pritzker vetoed a similar bill last year.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The House also passed bills to increase privacy for abortion records, expand bereavement leave, and allow drivers with a suspended license to use a speed control device in their car.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This summary was written by the reporters and editors who worked on this story.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SPRINGFIELD \u2014 The Illinois House on Thursday approved the latest version of a bill that would require school boards to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/capitolnewsillinois.com\/news\/will-this-be-the-year-the-state-legislature-approves-a-cellphone-ban-in-schools\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prohibit public school students from using their cellphones<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the classroom.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilga.gov\/Legislation\/BillStatus?DocNum=2427&amp;GAID=18&amp;DocTypeID=SB&amp;LegId=162470&amp;SessionID=114\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Senate Bill 2427<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, sponsored by Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, passed 102-3, with one present vote. It would require Illinois school districts to adopt policies by the 2027-28 school year banning the use of wireless communication devices like cellphones, tablets, laptops and gaming devices during school time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe research is clear: This constant source of distraction is lowering their academic progress, increasing anxiety, depression and cyber bullying, and inhibiting face-to-face communication at a critical time when youth are developing their social skills,\u201d Mussman said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An earlier version passed the Senate last year, but the process \u201cwas slowed down to allow more time for thoughtful discussion,\u201d Mussman said, which resulted in \u201ca stronger bill.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under the new language, the prohibition would be bell-to-bell for elementary and middle school students, but the legislation leaves discretion for school districts to allow high school students to use their devices during lunch and breaks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bill also includes carveouts for students with medical needs, who are caregivers for family members, and who need their phone for English translation services. School officials can also permit device use if it\u2019s for educational purposes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because the House amended the bill, it will need another vote in the Senate. Gov. JB Pritzker has been pushing for such a ban for two years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Human composting<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lawmakers are taking another stab at passing legislation to allow human composting as a burial option.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilga.gov\/Legislation\/BillStatus?GAID=18&amp;DocNum=5425&amp;DocTypeID=HB&amp;LegId=167251&amp;SessionID=114\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">House Bill 5425<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> would establish a lengthy series of regulations for composting human bodies that cemeteries, crematories and other funeral service providers must follow.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;This is a process that can help to alleviates some of the environmental concerns as it is net carbon neutral using one-eighth the energy of cremation and no harsh chemicals like things that we do in embalming,\u201d Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bill has struggled to move forward in Springfield despite years of debate on the issue. But despite new changes to the proposal this year, the bill is still opposed by the Catholic Church, Cemetery and Funeral Home Association and comptroller\u2019s office \u2014 which enforces cemetery regulations in Illinois.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The latest amendment to the bill shifted sole responsibility for regulations to the comptroller rather than the Department of Public Health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;It\u2019s not the same as overseeing a cemetery or a columbarium or anything of that sort,\u201d said Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Murrayville, adding it \u201crelies solely on good behavior &#8230; without oversight.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bill passed the House on a 64-36 vote and goes for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/capitolnewsillinois.com\/news\/stalled-bills-include-repeal-of-subminimum-wage-for-disabled-workers-bipa-reform\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">another try<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the Senate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Nonprofit investment fund<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The House and Senate both passed versions of a bill to authorize the state treasurer to set up and operate an investment fund that would manage the deposits of nonprofit corporations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The idea is an initiative of State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, who has said the fund would offer higher rates of return than banks offer through standard checking or savings accounts and greater liquidity than long-term investment funds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lawmakers passed similar legislation in 2025, but Pritzker vetoed it, saying such a fund could be used to benefit extremist groups that organize as nonprofit corporations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The two bills moving through the General Assembly this year \u2014 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ilga.gov\/Legislation\/BillStatus?DocNum=5045&amp;GAID=18&amp;DocTypeID=HB&amp;LegId=166529&amp;SessionID=114\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">House Bill 5045<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ilga.gov\/Legislation\/BillStatus?DocNum=2968&amp;GAID=18&amp;DocTypeID=SB&amp;LegId=165400&amp;SessionID=114\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Senate Bill 2968<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 contain language that excludes organizations that are barred from receiving state or federal contracts or grants. The bills also limit participation to groups organized for specific purposes such as labor organizations, legal aid services, food pantries, neighborhood development, affordable housing or education.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even with those changes, the bills drew opposition from the banking industry, which views the program as a form of government competition with private business. But supporters of the bill argued it would fill a need that the banking industry is not currently meeting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSome of these banks will not even provide loans, let alone investment opportunities, to these small entities because they just don\u2019t have enough money for them to where it would make sense,\u201d Rita Mayfield, D-Gurnee, the bill\u2019s chief House sponsor, said during floor debate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The House bill passed 69-32, with one member voting \u201cpresent.\u201d The Senate version passed 41-16.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each bill now goes to the other chamber for consideration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Abortion medical records<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The House on Thursday passed <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ilga.gov\/Legislation\/BillStatus?GAID=18&amp;DocNum=5295&amp;DocTypeID=HB&amp;LegId=167022&amp;SessionID=114\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">House Bill 5295<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that would create the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act and automatically segregate abortion-related services and treatment from digital medical records. Access to those records would be restricted for out-of-state entities. The bill is an initiative from the governor\u2019s office.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHere in Illinois we believe that people should be safe to receive the care that they choose to receive and therefore we want to help keep that information concealed and only released with their consent to providers outside of the state,\u201d Canty, the bill\u2019s sponsor, said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She acknowledged that abortion care is criminalized or stigmatized in other states, and that patients might be treated differently if providers know about those prior diagnoses or treatments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The information is not deleted or expunged, only restricted, and the bill gives patients the freedom to reveal any information they wish.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Republicans objected to the bill and questioned whether abortion-related information would be necessary for future treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Canty said doctors from other states that have similar legislation assured her that specific information about abortion-related care is not needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bill also applies to diagnoses and treatment of gender dysphoria.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The measure passed 73-34 along party lines.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Bereavement leave<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A bill from Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, seeks to extend the type and length of bereavement leave for all employees.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilga.gov\/Legislation\/BillStatus?DocNum=5208&amp;GAID=18&amp;DocTypeID=HB&amp;LegId=166865&amp;SessionID=114\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">House Bill 5208<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> would give employees at businesses with less than 50 employees the right to up to five days of unpaid bereavement leave within 12 months of the death of an immediate family member or a pregnancy or adoption-related event. Individuals who work for employers of more than 50 people are entitled to take up to 10 days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bill also removes a provision requiring employees to provide documentation of the loss, although employers may still ask for it. It also adds a provision for leave after the loss of a child \u2014 in that event, employers of less than 50 people are to give up to three work weeks; 50 to 250 employees up to six weeks; and more than 250 up to 12 weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, the bill would allow all employees up to three days of unpaid leave to make arrangements for or to attend the funeral of any person.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bill faced scrutiny from business organizations like the National Federation of Independent Business and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, who were concerned about the fiscal impact, particularly to small businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It passed 80-26 along party lines and will now head to the Senate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Speed control devices<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Illinois lawmakers are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/capitolnewsillinois.com\/news\/license-suspension-or-speed-control-lawmakers-explore-alternative-for-reckless-drivers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">considering<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> giving drivers who have their license suspended for speeding an alternative by requiring them to use a speed control device.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSpeeding is a factor in nearly half of all deadly crashes and the risk of fatality increases as speed increases,\u201d bill sponsor Rep. Marti Deuter, D-Elmhurst, said. \u201cAnd we know that the primary penalty for extreme or repeat speeders, which is license suspension or revocation, doesn\u2019t work.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilga.gov\/Legislation\/BillStatus?GAID=18&amp;DocNum=4948&amp;DocTypeID=HB&amp;LegId=166300&amp;SessionID=114\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">House Bill 4948<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, drivers who have their license suspended following two infractions within 12 months for speeding 26 mph or more over the speed limit would qualify to apply for a permit with the secretary of state\u2019s office to join the program. If approved, they\u2019d have to pay a $30 monthly fee to have the device installed in their car, which would prevent a driver\u2019s vehicle from surpassing the speed limit. Drivers would be required to use the device for six months after their first suspension, one year after their second suspension and two years after three or more suspensions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bill caused some consternation for some lawmakers who worried about disproportionate impacts on people of color.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI have serious concerns,\u201d said Rep. Curtis Tarver, D-Chicago. \u201cI think we all know from an anecdotal perspective that it\u2019s mostly Black and brown individuals who are stopped by law enforcement. So by default, I think we\u2019re often most likely to be the individuals who are caught up with what your bill is &#8230; aiming to enforce.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tarver ultimately voted for the bill, which passed the House 77-24, with one lawmaker voting present. It now goes to the Senate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Assault investigations<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilga.gov\/legislation\/BillStatus?DocNum=4394&amp;GAID=18&amp;DocTypeID=HB&amp;LegID=164968&amp;SessionID=114\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">House Bill 4394<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> would require law enforcement agencies with officers of more than one sex or gender to inform victims of sexual assault or abuse that they can request that their interview is given by an officer of a specific sex or gender, when one is available. This includes law enforcement offices, hospitals or other health care facilities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the requested officer is not available, the victim may consent to be interviewed by someone else, reschedule the interview or cancel it. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Daniel Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, passed unanimously and now heads to the Senate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/capitolnewsillinois.com\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Capitol News Illinois<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights speaks on the House floor April 17. Canty is the sponsor on a contentious human composting bill. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jenna Schweikert) [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":35677,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35676","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Friday General Assembly Bill Updates - Effingham&#039;s News and Sports Leader, 979XFM and KJ Country 102.3<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Effingham&#039;s News and Sports Leader\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thexradio.com\/news\/local-news\/35676-friday-general-assembly-bill-updates\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Friday General Assembly Bill Updates - 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